Windsor Town Green — Attraction in Windsor

This review is specific to the Town Green, the town square for the relatively new Windsor downtown. In other words, no reviews for the businesses that surround it. Both the town planners and the designers really put some care and thought into this sizable community park. Whereas other town squares are typically much smaller, the Towne Green is appropriately scaled for the downtown area, community, and regional gatherings, such as their annual concert series (which might have become too popular to make the square on concert nights desirable for locals). But for daily use, the square has a lot to offer.

There is a lengthy canal-like fountain using recycled water providing ample places to sit along its course. Plenty of shade trees, too, including a bosque, an orderly group of trees for more shade with picnic tables underneath. The green itself is ample to allow for picnicking or sunning. The site also includes a requisite bandstand for the infamous concert series and other public events. The overall aesthetic is a craftsman vernacular.

On slow days, parking is ample with oversized parking stalls that are easy to maneuver. Parking extends in various directions past the square making navigation easy to maneuver. But busy days and nights prompt locals to either stay away or walk downtown. There's also a children's playground.

There are landscape challenges. The soil is thick clay with what I assume is a high water table. This can be seen in the struggling flowering plum trees. A different species would be more appropriate for the soil conditions.

Ironically the native and mature oak trees that were preserved are performing marvelously because of smart design decisions, to keep the underlying conditions free of additional landscaping. What might be sparse is actually benefitting the trees and the local wildlife, although adding some native plantings or wildflowers in the open spaces could enhance the space further and keep crowds from compacting the soil. A modicum of attractive fencing could also mitigate this problem, such as the split rail they have installed nearby.

Generally speaking, it's well worth the visit if your timing is right for enjoying what the Town Green has to offer, making downtown Windsor a great source for enjoyment. Grab a to-go lunch at the adjacent restaurants and have a picnic in the park. What...

The Town Green, located in the center of downtown Windsor, functions as both a gathering place and an outdoor event center. It features a large grassy area, peppered with oak trees, pathways, a gazebo and a water feature that you can walk across. It has a newly renovated playground, with benches where adults can sit and watch their kids play. There are picnic tables scattered throughout the green. It is a short walk over to Oliver's Market, where you can buy a fantastic picnic lunch to take back with you. Even the pickiest eaters can find something there. There are restaurants and stores all around. The library is currently located on the green as well. There are many events on the green throughout the year. In summer there are movie nights (bring a blanket and sit on the grass ); music nights that include an evening farmers market, food vendors and food delivery (straight to your lawn chair or blanket) from some of the restaurants on the Green; the Windsor Certified Farmer's Market runs on Sundays from 10-1 April through December (check their website for exact dates); there are special holiday events and displays too, like the Christmas tree grove, tree lighting (Santa and Mrs. Claus ride in on a fire engine to light the town's Christmas tree) and Scarecrow Days in the fall. Check the town of Windsor's webpage for more details on these and other...

While I am a fan in general of live music and farmers markets, too many people in too small a space just makes my blood pressure skyrocket. I much prefer my public interactions on a much more intimate scale. This Thursday Night Market was a case of too many, too much, and not enough. I basically said "Hi" to my friends and headed out.

I love the area, and really enjoy my friends, but this is a lousy place to meet when market is going on. Parking is horrible but there is a shuttle that runs from the High School to the Green and back, but it is really not a bad walk. In retrospect, I shouldn't have agreed to go on market night, and won't do so...